Primary Sampling Current Controlled Synchronous Rectifying Drive Circuit

ABSTRACT

A primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit including a current sampling circuit that detects a current signal in a primary winding of a transformer and forwards it to a signal shaping and reset circuit, and a current compensation signal circuit that compensates a magnetizing current in the primary winding of the transformer, wherein the signal shaping and reset circuit converts a sample of the current signal into a voltage signal and shapes it into a pulse signal, and then forwards the current signal to a logic control and power drive circuit that converts the pulse signal into one or more drive signal(s) through logic control, then the drive signal(s) are amplified to drive a corresponding synchronous rectifier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 200810062051.1 filed May 21, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a synchronous rectifying drive circuit. More specifically, it relates to a primary sampling current controlled and synchronous rectifying drive circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the rapid development of information technology and an increment in the working frequency of integrated circuits, the demand for low voltage high current power supplies keeps increasing in order to reduce the power consumption of circuits, and as a result, the generated voltage will be decreased to below 1.0 Volts (V). When the output voltage of a power supply decreases, the forward voltage of a diode will increase. For example, the forward voltage of a Fast Recovery Diode (FRD) or a Super-fast Recovery Diode (SRD) could be up to 1.0V to 2.0V. The increment could be approximately 0.6V even for a Schottky diode. As a result, the efficiency of the power supply will be lower. With the development of the synchronous rectifier and corresponding control technology, the application of synchronous rectifying technology is expanding quickly as it helps improve the efficiency, thermal performance, power density, manufacturability and reliability of power supplies.

A current drive synchronous rectifier obtains a drive signal by sampling the current through the synchronous rectifier. The drive signal will be generated when detecting current through the diode of the synchronous rectifier, whereas, the synchronous rectifier will turn off when the current reaches zero, and as a result, the current cannot flow from the drain to the source of the synchronous rectifier. In this way, like a diode, a synchronous rectifier features unilateral conduction, and can be used in various circuitry topologies in power supplying converters. Therefore, current drive synchronous rectifiers have a very bright future. However, prior art current drive synchronous rectifying technology has many drawbacks such as substantial power consumption, complicated circuitry structure, low working frequency, being not easy to control etc., all of which hinder its application.

As shown in prior art FIG. 1, in a current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit with energy feedback (such as is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,597,587), a high frequency current transducer is required to sense the current in the secondary winding of the transformer, and two current transducers are required because full-wave rectification is employed here in the center-tapped secondary winding of the transformer. Moreover, in low voltage high current applications, the high frequency high current loop of the secondary winding incorporates a current transducer, which increases the length and complexity of the current loop and cause more power consumption in the wire and lower efficiency. This not only adds difficulty in the printed circuit board (PCB) layout, but also requires thicker output wire to make the transformer, which further makes the manufacture process complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit with high efficiency. A primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit is disclosed having a current sampling circuit that detects a current signal in a primary winding of a transformer and forwards it to a signal shaping and reset circuit, and a current compensation signal circuit that compensates for a magnetizing current in the primary winding of the transformer. The signal shaping and reset circuit converts a sample of the current signal into a voltage signal and shapes it into a pulse signal, and then forwards the current signal to a logic control and power drive circuit that converts the pulse signal into one or more drive signal(s) through logic control, then the drive signal(s) are amplified to drive a corresponding synchronous rectifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit in prior art;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the primary sampling current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit in the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the primary sampling current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit in a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the primary sampling current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit in a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the primary sampling current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit in a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the primary sampling current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit in a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the primary sampling current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compared with the prior art technology, the circuits in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is of remarkable practicality and can bring forward considerable economic benefits because they have simpler structure, smaller size, higher efficiency, lower cost, and are very easy to use.

As shown in FIG. 2, the primary sampling current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit comprises a current sampling circuit 12, a current compensation signal circuit 14, a signal shaping and reset circuit 16, and a logic control and power drive circuit 18 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The current sampling circuit 12 that detects a current signal in a primary winding of a transformer and forwards it to the signal shaping and reset circuit 16 and a current compensation signal circuit 14. The current compensation signal circuit 14 compensates for a current, such as but not limited to a magnetizing current, in the primary winding of the transformer. The signal shaping and reset circuit 16 converts a sample of the current signal into a voltage signal and shapes it into a pulse signal, and then forwards the current signal to the logic control and power drive circuit 18 that converts the pulse signal into one or more drive signal(s) through logic control, then the drive signal(s) are amplified to drive a corresponding synchronous rectifier.

As shown in FIG. 3, the current sampling circuit 12 consists of current transducer ST, which further consists of a primary sampling winding N1 for detecting the current signal in the primary winding of the transformer, a compensation winding N2, and a secondary output winding N4. The current compensation circuit uses inductor L1.

The signal shaping and reset circuit 16 consists of diode D1, diode D2, diode D3, diode D4, diode D5, diode D6, resistor R3, resistor R4, resistor R7, resistor R8, transistors Q7 and Q8. The anode of diode D1 is connected to the cathode of resistor D2, as well as to the non-dotted terminal of the output winding N4 of current transducer ST, and to the base of transistor Q7, one end of resistors R3 and R7. The cathode of diode D1 is connected to the Vcc end of a power supply. The anode of diode D2 is connected to the other end of resistor R3, as well as one end of resistor R4, and to the anode of diode D3, the collector of transistors Q7 and Q8. The other end of resistor R7 is connected to the anode of diode D5 while the cathode of diode D5 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q7. The cathode of diode D3 is connected to the dotted terminal of the output winding N4 of current transducer ST, as well as to the anode of diode D4, and the other end of resistor R4, one end of resistor R8, and the base of transistor Q8. The other end of resistor R8 is connected to the anode of diode D6 while the cathode of diode D6 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q8. The cathode of diode 04 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply.

Inductor L1 is connected in series with the compensation winding N2 of the current transducer and then connected in parallel with the secondary winding S of the transformer Ti. The logic control and power drive circuit 18 comprises two circuits that are in exactly the same structure, controlling synchronous rectifiers VR1 and VR2 respectively.

The circuit which controls the synchronous rectifier VR1 consists of resistors R1, R2, R9, R11, diodes D9, D11, and transistors Q1, Q2 and Q5. One end of resistor R1 is connected to the cathode of diode D9 and the drain of synchronous rectifier VR1. The other end of resistor R1 is connected to the anode of diode D9, one end of resistor R2 and the base of transistor Q1. The other end of resistor R2 is connected to the emitter of transistor 01 and the ground. The collector of transistor Q1 is connected to the cathode of diode D11 while the anode of D11 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q7, and the bases of transistors Q2 and Q5. The collector of transistor Q2 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply. The emitters of transistors Q2 and Q5 are connected to one end of resistor R9 while the other end of R9 is connected to one end of resistor R11 and the gate of synchronous rectifier VR1.

Resistors R1, R2, diodes D9, D11, and transistor Q1 form a logic control circuit. It logically controls the drive voltage signal which is amplified via transistors Q2 and Q5, resistors R9 and R1 to drive the synchronous rectifier VR1.

The circuit which controls the synchronous rectifier VR2 consists of resistors R5, R6, R10, R12, diodes D10, D12, and transistors Q3, Q4 and Q6. One end of resistor R6 is connected to the cathode of diode D10 and the drain of synchronous rectifier VR2. The other end of resistor R6 is connected to the anode of diode D10, and to one end of resistor R5 and the base of transistor Q4. The other end of resistor R5 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q4 and the ground. The collector of transistor Q4 is connected to the cathode of diode D12 while the anode of D12 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q8, and to the bases of transistors Q3 and Q6. The collector of transistor Q3 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply. The emitters of transistors Q3 and Q6 are connected to one end of resistor R10 while the other end of RIO is connected to one end of resistor R12 and the gate of synchronous rectifier VR2. The other end of R12 and one end of R11 are connected to ground.

Similarly, resistors R5, R6, diodes D10, D12, and transistor Q4 form into a logic control circuit. It logically controls the drive voltage signal and then has it amplified via transistors Q3 and Q6, resistors R10 and R12 to drive the synchronous rectifier VR2.

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the present invention. Its structure is exactly the same as that shown in FIG. 3 except that the inductor L1 is only connected to one of the secondary output windings of the transformer Ti.

FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of the present invention. The differences between the embodiments of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are that the current transducer L1 includes an additional output winding N3, whereas, the signal shaping and reset circuit 16 and the logic control and power drive circuit 18, which control synchronous rectifiers VR1 and VR2 respectively, are connected to the corresponding first output winding N4 and second output winding N3. The remaining circuit shown in FIG. 5 is the same as that shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is one more embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, only the synchronous rectifier VR2 is driven, and this differs from that shown in FIG. 3. The signal shaping and reset circuit 16 consists of diodes D3, D4, D6, and resistors R4, RB and transistor Q8. The anode of diode D3 is connected to the non-dotted end of the output winding N4 of current transducer ST, as well as one end of resistor R4, the collector of transistor Q8 and the ground. The cathode of diode D3 is connected to the dotted end of the output winding N4 of current transducer ST, as well as the anode of diode D4, the base of transistor Q8, the other end of resistor R4 and one end of resistor R8. The other end of RB is connected to the anode of diode D6 while the cathode of D6 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q8. The cathode of diode D4 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply. The logic control circuit and power drive circuit consists of resistors R5, R6, R0, R12, and diodes D10, D12, and transistors Q3, Q4, and Q6. One end of resistor R6 is connected to the cathode of diode D10 and the drain of synchronous rectifier VR2. The other end of R6 is connected to the anode of diode D10, as well as one end of resistor R5 and the base of transistor Q4. The other end of R5 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q3 and the ground. The collector of transistor Q4 is connected to the cathode of diode D12 while the anode of D12 is connected to the emitter of transistor Q6, and the bases of transistors Q3 and Q6. The collector of transistor Q3 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply. The emitters of transistors Q3 and Q6 are connected to one end of resistor R10 while the other end of RIO is connected to one end of resistor R12 and the gate of synchronous rectifier VR2. The other end of R2 is connected to the collector of transistor Q6 and the ground.

FIG. 7 is one more embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the current sampling circuit 12 is connected in series with a Hall sensor HL of the primary winding P of the transformer T, which differs from that shown in FIG. 3. The compensation signal circuit 14 consists of resistors R13, R14, R15, capacitor C1 and integrated operational amplifier IC1. One end of resistor R13 is connected to the dotted terminal of the secondary winding S of the transformer while the other end of R13 is connected to one end of resistor R14, one end of capacitor C1 and the positive input terminal of integrated operational amplifier IC1. The negative input terminal of capacitor C1 is connected to the other end of resistor R14 and one end of resistor R15. The other end of R15 is connected to the non-dotted terminal of the secondary winding S of the transformer. Capacitor C1 is connected to the output terminal of integrated operational amplifier IC1.

The signal shaping and reset circuit 16 corresponding to the above-described Hall sensor HL and the current compensation circuit 14 consists of resistors R16, R17, R18, R19, and comparator (integrated operational amplifier) IC2. One end of resistor R16 is connected to the output terminal of the compensation signal circuit 14 while the other end of R16 is connected to one end of resistor R18 and the positive input terminal of comparator 1C2. The other end of R1B is connected to the output of Hall sensor HL. The input terminal of comparator IC2 is connected to the ground while its output terminal is connected to one end each of resistor R17 and R18. The other end each of R17 and R18 is connected to the above-described logic control and power drive circuit 18. The aforesaid logic control and power drive circuit 18 has exactly the same structure as that shown in FIG. 3.

It should be understood that the above mentioned embodiments are just the illumination of the present invention, but not limited to the invention. All extended solutions or substitutions based on the principle and content of this invention should be regarded as Inventors' claims to be protected. 

1. A primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit, comprising: a current sampling circuit that detects a current signal in a primary winding of a transformer and forwards it to a signal shaping and reset circuit; and a current compensation signal circuit that compensates a magnetizing current in the primary winding of the transformer; wherein the signal shaping and reset circuit converts a sample of the current signal into a voltage signal and shapes it into a pulse signal, and then forwards the current signal to a logic control and power drive circuit that converts the pulse signal into one or more drive signal(s) through logic control, then the drive signal(s) are amplified to drive a corresponding synchronous rectifier.
 2. The primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit of claim 1, wherein the current sampling circuit comprises a current transducer ST, which comprises a primary sampling winding N1 for detecting the current signal in the primary winding of the transformer, a compensation winding N2, and a secondary output winding N4.
 3. The primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit of claim 2, wherein the current compensation signal circuit comprises the inductor L1.
 4. The drive circuit of claim 3, wherein the inductor L1 is connected in series with the compensation winding N2 of the current transducer ST and is connected in parallel with a secondary winding S of the transformer.
 5. The drive circuit of claim 4, wherein the current drive circuit generates two drive signals to drive two synchronous rectifiers respectively, and the signal shaping and reset circuit comprises: a diode D1, a diode Q2, a diode D3, a diode D4, a diode D5, a diode D6, a resistor R3, a resistor R4, resistor R7, resistor R8, transistor Q7 and transistor Q8; wherein an anode of diode D1 is connected to a cathode of resistor Q2, a non-dotted terminal of the output winding N4 of current transducer ST, a base of transistor Q7 and to one end of resistors R3 and R7, and a cathode of diode D1 is connected to a Vcc end of a power supply; wherein an anode of diode Q2 is connected to another end of resistor R3, and to one end of resistor R4, and to an anode of diode Q3 and a collector of transistors Q7 and Q8; wherein another end of resistor R7 is connected to an anode of diode Q5 while a cathode of diode Q5 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q7; wherein a cathode of diode Q3 is connected to a dotted terminal of the output winding N4 of a current transducer ST, an anode of diode Q4, another end of resistor R4, an end of resistor R8, and a base of transistor Q8; wherein another end of resistor R8 is connected to an anode of diode Q6 while a cathode of diode D6 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q8; wherein a cathode of diode Q4 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply; wherein the logic control and power drive circuit consists of resistors R1, R2, R9, R11, diodes D9, D11, and transistors Q1, Q2 and Q5, and an end of resistor R′ is connected to a cathode of diode D9 and a drain of the synchronous rectifier VR1, and another end of resistor R1 is connected to the an anode of diode D9, an end of resistor R2 and a base of transistor Q1 and another end of resistor R2 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q1 and a ground; wherein a collector of transistor Q1 is connected to a cathode of diode D11 while an anode of D11 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q7, and to bases of transistors Q2 and Q5; wherein a collector of transistor Q2 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply; wherein emitters of transistors Q2 and Q5 are connected to one end of resistor R9 to an emitter of transistor Q3 and to the ground; wherein a collector of transistor Q4 is connected to the cathode of diode D12 while an anode of Q12 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q8, and to bases of transistors Q3 and Q6; wherein a collector of transistor Q3 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply, and emitters of transistors Q3 and Q6 are connected to one end of resistor R10 while another end of R10 is connected to one end of resistor R12 and a gate of synchronous rectifier VR2, and another end of R12 is connected to a collector of transistor Q6 and the ground.
 6. The drive circuit of claim 2, wherein the current transducer ST further comprises an additional output winding N3.
 7. The drive circuit of claim 1, wherein the current sampling circuit is connected in series with a Hall sensor HL of the primary winding P of the transformer.
 8. The drive circuit of claim 7, wherein the compensation signal circuit consists of resistors R13, R14, R15, a capacitor C1 and an integrated operational amplifier IC1, and an end of resistor R13 is connected to a dotted terminal of a secondary winding S of the transformer while another end of resistor R13 is connected to an end of resistor R14, to an end of capacitor C1 and to a positive input terminal of the integrated operational amplifier IC1, and a negative input terminal of IC1 is connected to the other end of resistor R14 and an end of resistor R15, and another end of R15 is connected to the non-dotted terminal of the secondary winding S of the transformer; and, capacitor C1 is connected to an output terminal of integrated operational amplifier IC1.
 9. The drive circuit of claim 8, wherein the signal shaping and reset circuit comprise resistors R16, R17, R18, R19, and a comparator IC2, and an end of resistor R16 is connected to the output terminal of the compensation signal circuit while another end of R16 is connected to an end of resistor R18 and the positive input terminal of comparator IC2, and another end of R18 is connected to an output of the Hall sensor HL, and an input terminal of comparator IC2 is connected to a ground while its output terminal is connected to an end each of resistor R17 and R18, and another end each of R17 and R18 is connected to the logic control and power drive circuit.
 10. A primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit, comprising: a signal shaping and reset circuit; a current sampling circuit that detects a current signal in a primary winding of a transformer and forwards it to the signal shaping and reset circuit; a current compensation signal circuit that compensates a current in a primary winding of the transformer; and a logic control and power drive circuit; wherein the signal shaping and reset circuit converts a sample of the current signal into a voltage signal and shapes it into a pulse signal, and then forwards the current signal to the logic control and power drive circuit that converts the pulse signal into one or more drive signal(s) through logic control, then the drive signal(s) are amplified to drive a corresponding synchronous rectifier.
 11. The primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit of claim 10, wherein the current sampling circuit comprises a current transducer ST, which comprises a primary sampling winding N1 for detecting the current signal in the primary winding of the transformer, a compensation winding N2, and a secondary output winding N4.
 12. The primary winding current controlled synchronous rectifying drive circuit of claim 11, wherein the current compensation signal circuit comprises the inductor L1.
 13. The drive circuit of claim 12, wherein the inductor L1 is connected in series with the compensation winding N2 of the current transducer ST and is connected in parallel with a secondary winding S of the transformer.
 14. The drive circuit of claim 13, wherein the current drive circuit generates two drive signals to drive two synchronous rectifiers respectively, and the signal shaping and reset circuit comprises: a diode D1, a diode Q2, a diode D3, a diode D4, a diode D5, a diode D6, a resistor R3, a resistor R4, resistor R7, resistor R8, transistor Q7 and transistor Q8; wherein an anode of diode D1 is connected to a cathode of resistor Q2, a non-dotted terminal of the output winding N4 of current transducer ST, a base of transistor Q7 and to one end of resistors R3 and R7, and a cathode of diode D1 is connected to a Vcc end of a power supply; wherein an anode of diode Q2 is connected to another end of resistor R3, and to one end of resistor R4, and to an anode of diode Q3 and a collector of transistors Q7 and Q8; wherein another end of resistor R7 is connected to an anode of diode Q5 while a cathode of diode Q5 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q7; wherein a cathode of diode Q3 is connected to a dotted terminal of the output winding N4 of a current transducer ST, an anode of diode Q4, another end of resistor R4, an end of resistor R8, and a base of transistor Q8; wherein another end of resistor R8 is connected to an anode of diode Q6 while a cathode of diode D6 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q8; wherein a cathode of diode Q4 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply; wherein the logic control and power drive circuit consists of resistors R1, R2, R9, R11, diodes D9, D11, and transistors Q1, Q2 and Q5, and an end of resistor R′ is connected to a cathode of diode D9 and a drain of the synchronous rectifier VR1, and another end of resistor R1 is connected to the an anode of diode D9, an end of resistor R2 and a base of transistor Q1 and another end of resistor R2 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q1 and a ground; wherein a collector of transistor Q1 is connected to a cathode of diode D11 while an anode of D11 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q7, and to bases of transistors Q2 and Q5; wherein a collector of transistor Q2 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply; wherein emitters of transistors Q2 and Q5 are connected to one end of resistor R9 to an emitter of transistor Q3 and to the ground; wherein a collector of transistor Q4 is connected to the cathode of diode D12 while an anode of Q12 is connected to an emitter of transistor Q8, and to bases of transistors Q3 and Q6; wherein a collector of transistor Q3 is connected to the Vcc end of the power supply, and emitters of transistors Q3 and Q6 are connected to one end of resistor R10 while another end of RIO is connected to one end of resistor R12 and a gate of synchronous rectifier VR2, and another end of R12 is connected to a collector of transistor Q6 and the ground.
 15. The drive circuit of claim 11, wherein the current transducer ST further comprises an additional output winding N3.
 16. The drive circuit of claim 10, wherein the current sampling circuit is connected in series with a Hall sensor HL of the primary winding P of the transformer.
 17. The drive circuit of claim 16, wherein the compensation signal circuit consists of resistors R13, R14, R15, a capacitor C1 and an integrated operational amplifier IC1, and an end of resistor R13 is connected to a dotted terminal of a secondary winding S of the transformer while another end of resistor R13 is connected to an end of resistor R14, to an end of capacitor C1 and to a positive input terminal of the integrated operational amplifier IC1, and a negative input terminal of IC1 is connected to the other end of resistor R14 and an end of resistor R15, and another end of R15 is connected to the non-dotted terminal of the secondary winding S of the transformer; and, capacitor C1 is connected to an output terminal of integrated operational amplifier IC1.
 18. The drive circuit of claim 17, wherein the signal shaping and reset circuit comprise resistors R16, R17, R18, R19, and a comparator IC2, and an end of resistor R16 is connected to the output terminal of the compensation signal circuit while another end of R16 is connected to an end of resistor R18 and the positive input terminal of comparator IC2, and another end of R18 is connected to an output of the Hall sensor HL, and an input terminal of comparator IC2 is connected to a ground while its output terminal is connected to an end each of resistor R17 and R18, and another end each of R17 and R18 is connected to the logic control and power drive circuit. 